PORTLAND, OREGON – MARCH 27: Matisse Thybulle #4 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on during the first half at Moda Center on March 27, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE...
The Lakers are adding another defensive-minded wing to their roster.
The franchise and Matisse Thybulle agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth $3.3 million.
Since Thybulle is signing a veteran’s minimum contract, he’ll have a $2.5 million cap hit for the Lakers, similar to Kevon Looney and Ziaire Williams.
The LA Lakers agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million contract on Monday morning with defensive wing Matisse Thybulle. Getty Images
The Lakers will have 16 rostered players on guaranteed standard deals once Thybulle’s signing is official, meaning the franchise will need to trade or waive at least one player to become roster compliant (maximum 15 players signed to standard deals) before Opening Night in October.
Teams can carry a maximum of 21 players on their roster during the offseason, including the three two-way spots, before having to be roster-compliant the day before the regular season starts.
Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves (re-signed to a four-year, $180 million contract), Jarred Vanderbilt, Jake LaRavia, Dalton Knecht, Bronny James and Adou Thiero are the lone Lakers still on the roster who finished 2025–26 with the team.
The addition of Thybulle, who’s entering his eighth season in the NBA after being the No. 20 pick in the 2019 NBA draft, addresses the Lakers need for perimeter defense after their offseason roster overhaul.
After being the 2019 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year during his final season at Washington, Thybulle was an All-Defensive second team honoree twice (2021 and ’22) during his 3 ½ seasons with the 76ers (2019–23) before Philadelphia traded him to the Trail Blazers ahead of the 2023 deadline.
Thybulle, 29, has played just 132 regular season games (and four playoff games) for the Trail Blazers over the last 3 ½ years.
After appearing in 65 games (19 starts) during his first full season in Portland in 2023–24, Thybulle played in 15 games in 2024–25 because of knee and ankle injuries and 30 games in 2025–26.
Thybulle missed 51 straight games from late October through late through mid-February after having surgery to repair a ligament in his left thumb but played in the Trail Blazers’ final 26 regular season games after the All-Star break.
He averaged 5.9 points (37.9% shooting on 3-pointers), 2.1 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 0.6 blocks in 16.6 minutes in those 26 games before playing in four of Portland’s five playoff games, not including the Play-In Tournament win over the Suns on April 14.
The 6-foot-5, 202-pound Thybulle remains a pesky defender even though his one-on-one isolation defense hasn’t been as sharp the last few seasons compared to his time with the 76ers/first joining the Trail Blazers.
Thybulle’s 2 steals per game last season was tied for the second-most in the league with Hawks wing Dyson Daniels and Pistons wing Ausar Thompson among players who appeared in at least 20 regular season games despite averaging just 16 minutes.
He led the league in steals (4.5) and deflections (8.7) per 36 minutes in 2025–26 among players who appeared in at least 20 games.
His length (reported 7-foot wingspan), motor and reflexes at his size has helped him remain one of the league’s most disruptive perimeter defenders.
He’s mainly been tasked with defending guards throughout his career, specifically primary ball handlers, but has the versatility to guard smaller forwards and is elite with navigating around screens on and off the ball.
Thybulle, who’s shot 34.9% on 3s since entering the league, shot 37.4% from beyond the arc since joining the Trail Blazers in February 2023.
He’s shot 35% on catch-and-shoot 3s during the regular season since entering the NBA, including 38.8% over the last four seasons (2022-26).
Thybulle will provide the Lakers with a 3-and-D wing who, along with Grimes and Williams, will be looked upon to fortify the team’s perimeter defense with Kessler as the anchor.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 19: Yaxel Lendeborg #1 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates after receiving the 2026 NBA Summer League Championship MVP Trophy after winning the game against the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2026 NBA Summer League Championship on July 19, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Mike Kirschbaum/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Thunder trade Lu Dort to the Hawks in three-team deal involving former No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg put the finishing touches on an impressive Summer League campaign Sunday night.
The 11th overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft was named the 2026 NBA Summer League Championship Game MVP after helping lead Golden State to a 94-90 comeback win over the Memphis Grizzlies. The victory completed a successful Summer League for the Warriors, with Lendeborg emerging as one of the biggest rookie standouts in Las Vegas.
"Every game I play I have something to prove to myself… I'm just very proud of this moment and I'm glad we got to win this."
Lendeborg finished tied for a game-high 21 points on 9-of-18 shooting from the field, along with 10 rebounds, two assists, and two steals. However, his biggest contributions came down the stretch. Trailing by 10 entering the fourth quarter, the Warriors outscored the Grizzlies 28-14, with Lendeborg accounting for seven of Golden State’s final 10 points, including a pair of go-ahead buckets that gave the Warriors the lead late in the game.
No. 11 overall pick @Yaxel_Lendeborg capped off his NBA Summer League campaign in style:
Overall, the Warriors’ rookie left a strong first impression during his first stint with the organization. He displayed an advanced feel for the game and consistently made winning plays on both ends of the floor. His outside shot looks like it could become a legitimate weapon after shooting 35.7% from three-point range throughout Summer League, while his defensive instincts were encouraging despite a few off-ball lapses that should improve with more NBA conditioning and experience.
Most importantly, Lendeborg delivered when the lights were brightest, saving one of his best performances for the championship game and walking away with MVP honors. For a veteran-led Warriors team looking to maximize what’s left of its championship window, Lendeborg’s ability to contribute right away could prove to be one of the biggest developments of the offseason.
“For me, I’m gonna do anything that the team needs,” Lendeborg said. “As for right now, for this specific team, it’s more so being a secondary playmaker, hitting open 3s when needed obviously and just taking the pressure off some of the older guys. Steph (Curry), I know he gets double-teamed, triple-teamed, fouled, hacked all the time. So it’s, like, maybe (in) the chance when he gets tired, I can relieve that pressure for him.
“So, just trying to be an easy outlet in a way. Do whatever’s needed.”
Rather than simply declining Dort’s $17.7 million team option to save money, the Thunder picked it up, acquired three future assets, created a $17 million trade exception and placed their 2025 championship stalwart in position for a long-term deal in Atlanta that was not viable for Oklahoma City.
“This was a financial decision. The impression I have been given is that the savings generated this summer, and from being out of the tax the last several years, will be re-allocated to future teams,” Thunder general manager Sam Presti told The Oklahoman.
The Athletic has reported on the Lakers’ interest in free agent Jonathan Kuminga since late June, but it appears that momentum has stalled with the sides far apart on terms and L.A. not overly motivated to push significant draft capital into sign-and-trade scenarios. Still, he appears to be the biggest upside play left on the table, and could re-emerge as a target if his market remains tepid. Cleveland, according to league sources, is the team most-often connected to Kuminga other than the Lakers.
It’s unclear if Beverley, who played with James on the Los Angeles Lakers in 2022-23, has any reason to believe that claim, or if he’s just having fun on social media. Anyone who has followed this era of the NBA knows that the three-time All-Defense selection is always looking for a way to have a good quote go viral. But then again, NBA players do move in their own social circles, and it’s entirely plausible that Beverley has actually heard something.
Follow@unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.
Jimmy Snuggerud had a phenomenal rookie season, but what if we told you there was another level his game can reach?
In his rookie campaign, Snuggerud scored 21 goals and 51 points in 70 games, finishing fifth in Calder Trophy voting.
But if you asked TheHockeyNews.com, they’d say Snuggerud is the breakout candidate for the St. Louis Blues.
In THN’s 2026 Champions edition, they named Snuggerud as the breakout candidate of the Blues. For a player who eclipsed the 20-goal and 50-point mark in his rookie season, expecting him to break out further is a tall ask, but with his skill set, it’s an achievable goal.
We’re kidding ourselves if we believe JIMMY SNUGGERUD will top out as a 20-goal, 50-point player. Almost from the instant he joined the Blues, Snuggerud had an impact on the attack. The 22-year-old tied for second in points among Blues players this season and generated the highest rate of individual expected goals on the team at all strengths. There will be a lot of roster movement in St. Louis this summer, but Snuggerud becoming the centerpiece of the offense is a certainty. - Jared Clinton
-
Snuggerud’s shot is his best asset. He can fire off heavy and accurate one-timers, he can catch and shoot, and he can make space for himself before using his quick release. But ultimately, he has far more traits that make him dangerous.
His playmaking has improved drastically since he was drafted. Down the stretch of the season, he fed passes to Dylan Holloway and Robert Thomas that opened the game for each of them, and it was why they were one of, if not the best lines for the final 20 games of the season.
Snuggerud doesn’t have blistering speed, but he ranks above the 50th percentile in multiple skating statistics according to NHL EDGE, which makes him a threat in transition as well.
If Snuggerud matched his production of 20 goals and 50 points, the Blues would be thrilled, but with his talent, there is a real case for him to be a 30-goal, 70-point scorer very soon.
Players like Dalibor Dvorsky or Logan Mailloux are other candidates on the Blues to have breakout seasons, but Snuggerud, despite past success, is a candidate to take his game to the next level.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free.
See more of The Hockey News on Google and save us as a preferred source.Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
Computer-controlled energy deployment now dictates races – it turns out drivers don’t like Skynet controlling their cars
Another race down another classic circuit, in this case Spa-Francorchamps, left neutered for drivers and so their slow, dissonant discontent rumbles ever onward. In the wake of the Belgian Grand Prix, there was an overwhelming sense they wished to simply escape. Not so much from Spa but away from the numbers.
George Russell was at the centre of attention in Belgium, the Mercedes driver’s championship hopes taking a severe blow as, inexplicably to him and his team, his engine did not recover energy through turn one and he was left with no electrical power to deploy. He was swallowed up by the Ferraris and vying with Lewis Hamilton, who clipped him through Les Combes, was pitched out of the race.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 19: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros is awarded series MVP following his teams 6-4 win against the New York Yankees in game six of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 19, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It was a Wednesday afternoon at then-named Minute Maid Park.
On July 20, 2011, Jose Altuve made his MLB debut with the Houston Astros. He went 1×5 in a 3-2 victory over the Washington Nationals in 11 innings.
He got his first major league hit with 2 out in the bottom of the 9th inning on a 1-2 pitch from Tyler Clippard in a 2-2 ballgame. He would be stranded.
He would then be double-switched for RP Wilton Lopez in the top of the 10th. Jason Michaels would pinch hit for Lopez in the bottom of the 11th (in Altuve’s spot) and hit the game-winning single to drive in Humberto Quintero. The Astros were 33-65.
What has followed for Jose Altuve is a future Hall of Fame career, 2 World Series Championships, an MVP, 3 batting titles, a Gold Glove, an ALCS MVP, 7 Silver Slugger Awards, and 9 All-Star games.
Here are some of our fondest memories of Jose Altuve over the years, from the staff at Crawfish Boxes and the team at Sportsradio 610 Houston:
Craig Larson Jr. – Crawfish Boxes
On June 8th, 2015, I happened to be in Chicago visiting family on a summer vacation. On the bucket list with my parents was going to see the White Sox and Astros play. Unbeknownst to me at the time – that day was Carlos Correa’s call up to the club. I’d learn later upon lineups being revealed on the stadium scoreboard. It marked Correa’s debut.
In the 4th inning that night, Correa would drive in his first career RBI by beating out an infield grounder. The sheer excitement that followed several moments later from teammate Jose Altuve was something that’s stayed with me for all of these years. The hug, smile and jubilation served as a mini prelude of things to come for the Astros. Jose was prouder of Carlos than if he had accomplished the feat himself. It reminded me of Jerry Rice’s excitement for John Taylor’s TD to beat the Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII. That’s what being a leader is all about.
Sean Pendergast – SportsRadio 610
My favorite Altuve moments probably mirror what many Astros fans would cite — the numerous postseason home runs, particularly the walk off series ended in the 2019 ALCS against the Yankees, every hit count milestone he’s touched, and perhaps the most likable demeanor of an athlete in Houston history. However, I think the thing I’m most impressed by Altuve is his remarkable evolution as a hitter, going from a guy who arrived in MLB immediately winning multiple batting titles to an overall force as someone who could hit for average AND power. When you add in that he packages it all in a 5-foot-6 frame, it makes him one of the most intriguing unicorns in baseball history.
Jimmy Price (Astros Future) – Crawfish Boxes:
I have so many memories of Jose Altuve. Watching him come through the Astros system as an undersized infielder and develop into an MVP was something special.
While this isn’t one specific memory, I just want to highlight everything he has done in the postseason. The Astros have had some really good teams over the years, but they’ve never had a player who consistently delivered on the biggest stage quite like Altuve.
The three-home run game against Boston to open the 2017 playoffs, his massive performance in Game 5 of the World Series in Houston, the walk-off home run in 2019, the list goes on. When the moments were the biggest, the best player stepped up. That was Jose Altuve.
Scott Barzilla – Crawfish Boxes
My memory is the obvious one but it is the most vivid one. When Roberto Osuna gave up the home run in Game Six of the ALCS in 2019 I actually threw my remote at the TV. Altuve obviously saved the day and cemented his place as the best Astro of all-Time. He doesn’t have the numbers of Bagwell or Biggio yet, but he has the postseason chops.
Adam Spolane – Crawfish Boxes
Altuve’s first taste of postseason baseball in 2015 was underwhelming. He was 4 for 22 without an extra base hit in six games against the Yankees and Royals, so he had some pressure to perform when the Astros returned in 2017. The Astros had won 101 games in the regular season and Altuve was the MVP front runner. He had to perform, and boy did he ever.
After Alex Bregman homered to put the Astros up 1-0 in the first inning of game one of the ALDS against the Red Sox, Altuve sent an 0-2 fastball from Chris Sale over the left-center field wall. Two at bats later he sent a first pitch fastball from Sale to the exact location. In his final at bat of the afternoon, Altuve launched a 1-1 breaking ball from Austin Maddox over the Crawford Boxes.
Altuve became the ninth player in Major League Baseball history to homer three times in a single postseason game, and it was the breakthrough performance from one era’s great postseason players. Altuve hit seven home runs during the 2017 postseason, and his 27 career postseason home runs trail only Manny Ramirez.
Patrick Creighton – Crawfish Boxes/SportsRadio 610
Altuve has had so many moments throughout his career, but the one that stands out to me the most is his 3 HR game vs. the Boston Red Sox in Game 1 of the 2017 ALDS.
Altuve had just put together a monster season, winning his 3rd batting title in 4 years, leading the league in hits for the 4th straight season, and leading the league in WAR. He was going to win MVP over Aaron Judge, who also had a monstrous season leading the league in HR, runs, and walks.
While the postseason doesn’t count to voters, it certainly does in the minds of baseball fans across the nation. Altuve opened the postseason in the most incredible fashion possible.
A 3-HR game, including 2 HRs of Red Sox ace (and future HOFer) Chris Sale (who led the league with 308K), announced to all of MLB who the MVP of the 2017 season was. It was an incredibly powerful moment that gave Astros fans the belief that this was really their year, and their MVP was going to make sure of it.
After so many past playoff failures, especially offensively, Altuve shattered that notion in a single game as he became just the 9th player in MLB history with a 3 HR game in the postseason.
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 12: Luis García Jr. #2 of the Washington Nationals at bat against the New York Yankees during the sixth inning at Nationals Park on July 12, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With the trade deadline only a couple weeks away, I wanted to take a look at some teams the Nats could be doing business with. There are four teams that stand out to me right now. Three of them would be if the Nats sell and one would be a team the Nats could buy from. The four teams are the Angels, the Red Sox, the Guardians and the Cubs.
Let’s start things on a happy note and talk about a team we could target if the Nats decide to buy. As every Nats fan knows, this team needs pitching. One place they could look for that is the Angels. Even though the Angels are in the midst of a miserable season, they have plenty of interesting pitchers they could make available.
If the Nats truly wanted to go big game hunting, they could go after Jose Soriano or Reid Detmers. A report came out that the Angels are expected to make both available at this year’s deadline. That is a big change of tune from the past, where they shot down trade interest. Both Soriano and Detmers have two years of control after this, lining up perfectly with CJ Abrams.
BREAKING: The Angels are expected to make Reid Detmers and José Soriano available at the trade deadline.
Should the Nats decide to keep Abrams long term, they will need to get serious about building a team around him and the rest of this young offensive core. Soriano is a hard throwing righty who has tailed off since a phenomenal start to the season. However, he still has a 3.49 ERA in 111 innings with 115 strikeouts. I also think there is still plenty of untapped potential with the 27 year old.
While Detmers has an ERA of 4.16, his FIP is almost a full run lower than that. The southpaw has swing and miss stuff, and would be highly coveted as well. Either of those guys would cost the Nats at least one of their top 100 prospects plus additional capital.
The starters are not the only intriguing pieces from the Angels though. There are four relievers I could see as fits for the Nats. If Paul Toboni wanted a cheap, short term fix, Kirby Yates could be a good option. The 39 year old has a 3.74 ERA and a 3.24 FIP this season thanks to his elite fastball, splitter combination. He also has plenty of closing experience with over 100 career saves. Yates would be a good option if Toboni just wanted to show the clubhouse he is invested without actually giving up a ton.
Sam Bachman, Chase Silseth and Ryan Zeferjahn are younger, controllable arms who the Nats could also go after. All three have electric stuff, but pretty shaky command. However, they would all be upgrades to the Nats pen and bring much needed swing and miss stuff. You would have to give up some prospect capital for those guys, but it would not need to be any of the Nats top 5-7 prospects.
Now that we have gone over a buying option, I am going to shift my attention to the selling side of things. Over the past few days, a lot of rumors have been swirling around Luis Garcia. One team that has been brought up a lot is Paul Toboni’s old club, the Red Sox.
Toboni has already made one trade with his old team, the Luis Perales for Jake Bennett swap, which has not aged well so far. Maybe that would scare him off, but I wouldn’t think so. Our guy Paul Cubbage made a mock trade that sent Garcia to the Red Sox and two young arms to the Nats.
Mock Luis Garcia Jr. trade: Red Sox Receive 1B Luis Garcia Jr. (134 wRC+, 1.9 fWAR)
I could certainly see the Nats targeting former first rounder Kyson Witherspoon. He has not had a great first year in pro ball, but his stuff is loud and he was Toboni’s last first round pick in Boston. Witherspoon has a fastball in the mid to upper 90’s with the ability to throw a lot of different pitches. Rivera is also very intriguing as a relief arm.
A CJ Abrams trade at this deadline would surprise me, but Boston is a team that would make a lot of sense for him as well. The Red Sox have a need in the middle infield, and Abrams would be a good fit for them either at shortstop or at second base. That is something to watch more in the offseason though. The Red Sox farm system is stacked and they have several young major league pitchers they could offer the Nats.
Speaking of pitching, that seems to be what the Cubs will be after this deadline. If the Nats decide to move Foster Griffin, the Cubs would be a great fit. The last time the Nats traded a rental starting pitcher to the Cubs, it worked out pretty well for them.
Of course, the trade I am referring to is the Michael Soroka deal, where the Nats landed Ronny Cruz, who has really made a name for himself this year. Griffin is a much more valuable asset than Soroka, so the asking price will be high. Some prospects I could see the Nats targeting are pitchers Jaxon Wiggins, Kaleb Wing, Brooks Caple and Mason McGuire, as well as catcher Owen Ayers. Some combination of those guys could make for a compelling package.
I could also see the Cubs having some interest in Luis Garcia Jr. to fill the DH spot. Right now they have a rotating cast of characters in that position after Moises Ballesteros did not lock down that position. There is a chance they stick with the likes of veteran Michael Conforto and promising youngster Pedro Ramirez. However, that is a fit that could make some sense.
However, an even better fit for Garcia would be the Cleveland Guardians. The Guardians have gotten next to nothing from the first base and DH spots. Kyle Manzardo and Rhys Hoskins both have negative WAR. Hoskins walks a lot, but is hitting just .177. Meanwhile, Manzardo is hitting just .208 with an OPS below .650.
That is just not going to cut it for a team with playoff ambitions. Enter Luis Garcia Jr., who would solve their first base woes. As always, the Guardians have a stockpile of pitching they could give to the Nats. A starting pitching prospect like Braylon Doughty could make sense as a headliner. The Guardians also have a plethora of interesting young relievers such as Daniel Espino, Franco Aleman and Andrew Walters.
The Guardians are my ideal trade partner for Garcia, given their need and what they have to provide. Overall, this should be an exciting deadline. Keep an eye on those four teams though. I have a feeling the Nats will make a move with at least one of the Guardians, Red Sox, Cubs or Angels.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 11: Jake McCarthy #31 of the Colorado Rockies sprints towards first base for a single during the top of the fifth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on July 11, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Scott Marshall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jake McCarthy readily admits that he enjoys being part of the Colorado Rockies ‘fun’ offense.
“I just think it looks different every day,” the team’s leadoff hitter said prior to the Rockies’ season finale July 19 against Cincinnati. “I think we’re capable of putting the ball in play and, maybe, in a certain situation doing a job. Also, there are times when you slug a little more and we hit home runs. I just think we’ve done a pretty good job.
“We could always do a better job of doing what the game kind of asks of us. But it’s just been fun. I feel like, 1-9 in the lineup, you never know who’s going to make an impact.”
McCarthy, acquired by Colorado in a trade with Arizona for pitcher Josh Grosz in January 2026, has certainly made his impact known in his inaugural season with the Rockies.
Through July 18, McCarthy was tied with Esmeryln Valdez of Pittsburgh for the National League league in RBI with 18 for July—a month in which is slashing .321/.400/.842 with three doubles, one triple and four home runs.
For the season, the left-handed outfielder was batting .303 (fifth in the NL), with 10 home runs, 55 RBI and 17 stolen bases in 21 attempts through action of July 18.
His .392 average with runners in scoring position tops the National League and is third in the Majors.
Those numbers have helped fuel a Rockies offense which, since June 1, has scored 227 runs—second only to Milwaukee’s 231 tallied in that span.
McCarthy recalls that this year’s Colorado offense is similar to that of the 2024 Diamondbacks squad.
“I think we had a really good offense in Arizona, just a similar concept,” he said. “1-9 having some guys who—if they’re not necessarily crushing home runs but they are seeing a lot of pitches—are maybe working a walk or something to start an inning to give us the lead or chip away and get a starting pitcher out of the game early. Maybe it’s stuff that necessarily does not show up in the box score but it’s important to the team.”
With two out and a runner on third base in the second inning, McCarthy saw an opportunity to lay a bunt down the third base line that not only drove in the runner from a third but ended up as a base hit.
McCarthy’s teammates followed with four consecutive hits to plate three more runs as Colorado bolted to a 6-0 lead against Reds starting pitcher Rhett Lowder. Two more runs an inning later ended Lowder’s day after just 2.2 innings in an eventual 10-3 Rockies win.
McCarthy’s performance this season has impressed rookie teammate TJ Rumfield.
“I can’t say enough about Jake McCarthy,” said Rumfield, who finished with career highs of four hits and four RBI with a career-long 456-foot, two-run homer in the contest.
“First of all, just a constant professional hitter. He’ll do what it takes. He doesn’t care if it’s a bunt, if it’s moving a guy over, whatever the situation dictates. He’s going to get it done and you believe he’s going to get it done.”
Whether it’s a a key bunt or a big home run—he has two leadoff inside-the-park home runs this season (July 12 at San Francisco, June 20 vs. Pittsburgh) to become the first player with multiple leadoff inside-the-park homers since the New York Giants’ Ed Roush in 1929—McCarthy is enjoying his leadoff role.
“It’s been awesome,” he said. “I feel like every time I come up (to the plate), there’s someone on base, there’s someone in scoring position.
“I just think we’re always applying pressure to the (opposing) pitcher. I think we have done a nice job of taking pressure off each other because it I don’t come through, I trust that Mickey (Moniak) or whoever’s hitting behind me will come through.
Yeah, we’re a little late but there’s a lot to ponder.
The end of the Brooklyn Nets two summer leagues, coinciding with the start of free agency, seems like a good time to assess things. The Nets could make a move yet and LeBron James hasn’t made his decision.
Just Saturday, the New York Knicks tendered an offer sheet to the Dallas Mavericks for Moussa Cisse, a 6’11” 23-year-old center, only to see it matched hours later. On Sunday, the Mavs, Thunder and Hawks did a three-way swap that sent All-Defensive Wing Lu Dort from OKC to Atlanta, former overall No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher from Atlanta to the Dallas, Ryan Nemhard from Dallas to Atlanta and multiple draft picks, what else?, to OKC.
Things change.
Also, the Nets won’t play now for nearly three months, sometime the first week of October when training camp and preseason open. So where are we?
The Nets two lottery picks from 2025 and 2026, acquired as the centerpieces of a two-year long rebuild, have looked as Summer League head coach Dutch Gaitley said of Mikel Brown Jr., “electric” both as individuals, one coming off a development spree, the other a prized newcomer, AND as a fit, aka the “Aura Bros” as fan described them … a sobriquet Egor Demin seems to like. The organization is already taking advantage of the connection in a stream of recent social media. Why not? And the Nets do still hold the trademark to “Brooklyn’s Backcourt” if not Aura Bros…
Michael Porter Jr., in comments we noted Saturday, seems quite happy with the Nets, offering to recruit Peyton Watson and praising what the organization is building. The recent back-and-forth mostly on the timing of negotiations on an extension seem the normal NBA foreplay than evidence of some split.
And?
Julius Randle who did average 21, 7 and 5 in 79 games, all starts, last season is all-in on his newest home, thirsting for a leadership role and, per Brown Jr., encouraging him already, telling him he expects the team to “shock the world.”
And?
The Nets have rewarded the hard work of Day’Ron Sharpe, giving him a new (and reasonable) contract as well as apparently the starting 5 spot come October now that Nic Claxton is gone. They also added Moe Wagner as a backup, too, although he hasn’t signed yet.
And?
Chaney Johnson had a breakout in the Summer League, leading all Vegas in steals at 3.3 per game while finishing only behind the Aura Bros in scoring and leading the Nets in rebounding.
And???
Well, there’s where it gets dicey. Yes, Josh Minott is a good gamble at 23 years old and Keon Ellis fills a need and brings quintessential 3-and-D numbers, but after that big list, things begin to slip from the positive into the negative or at least mediocre,
Like?
Two of the Flatbush 5 seem to have regressed based on their summer league performances. Drake Powell had a 1-of-28 shooting slump followed by a 4-of-6 3-point effort followed by a 1-of-6 outing, including 0-of-4 from deep. Where’s that SMH emoji?
Danny Wolf had some bright spots, averaging a little less that 10 points, a little more than six rebounds, across four appearances for Brooklyn. He did struggle, as he did last year, from deep, going 0-for-6 in his last two games before Friday, then didn’t take a three at all in that one. His passing potential has been hurt by his turnovers. In Friday’s game, he had two assists and a whopping five turnovers in 18:35, a few of them of early when the Rockets took charge.
Ben Saraf’s game has seemed to stabilize at the level we saw year with some kudos on his defense coming from Jordi Fernandez. There was no breakout. We didn’t get to see Nolan Traore at all. He’s rehabbing from a ‘scope on his left knee. Not exactly encouraging across the board. Yes, you can argue, “what do you expect from players taken in the back half and deep in the first round?” More. Development and scouting are crucial for a team whose strategy is based on garnering draft picks for an organic regrowth.
That Johnson has advanced so while Powell and Wolf hit road blocks says both positive and negative things about the Nets.
Like?
The lack of rim protection and rim running. Sharpe deserves his shot and his forte’ — indeed historical value — are about rebounding and offensive rebounding in particular. He is not about blocking shots and looking down the depth chart at the 5, he is not alone. Nic Claxton’s shot blocking may have declined from 2.5 per game to 1.1 over the last four years but he had that skill. You can also argue, if you wish, that the Nets will be more physical, more defensive-oriented, and that will compensate. Maybe.
Like?
At this moment, the lack of offense in general off the bench should be worrisome. The first players off the bench this season likely will be some version of Noah Clowney, Josh Minott, Terance Mann, Keon Ellis, Moe Wagner. Maybe one of the other rookies will get minutes: Joshua Jefferson or Tyler Bilodeau who’s on a two-way deal. Clowney, 22, and Minott, 23, are the only ones who have any real potential to throw up some points in a hurry and both are young and inexperienced while the role seems daunting, based on past history. The Nets bench to any offensive credibility, there will have to be a breakout and a breakout is always a surprise.
Good things can happen. Late trades get done. Players surprise … in good ways. Moves get made at the deadline. Pray for good health! But as we’ve noted, while the tank is over, the rebuild is not, as the off-season showed. The Nets have made some improvements, particularly in the starting lineup as long as the Aura Bros. play as well as we expect. MPJ and Randle are both capable 20-point scorers if both are always a bit controversial.
Could the Nets have been more aggressive? Done either of those weekend deals? Probably, but how much more since we don’t know any details of any proposal, it’s hard to debate. Frustrating but only in fan discussions. How much it really matters won’t come known until the fall. They did keep their flexibility, mostly manifest in that cache of draft assets.
It is getting easier to debate where we think the team will stand starting in October. As Bobby Marks has said, we are entering the time when all GMs love their roster and how it fits their strategy, a phase that usually lasts till the end of the first third of the season which simultaneously falls around the unofficial beginning of trade season on December 15. Sean Marks (no relation) said something this week that matches what Bobby said, “I like the roster we have.”
Of course fans’ opinions are different with most wanting more wins now but others willing to show some patience over a longer run. None want a replay of last season. The Nets didn’t overpromise like the Mets nor simply promise, like the Jets who won their last title the month before Julius Erving turned 13. You can have you own opinion and we’ll all set our crystal balls up for late September.
Jordi wants a career in Brooklyn
Jordi Fernandez has won only 46 games in his two years as NBA coach, but has won plaudits from his and other teams’ players and coaches for developing young players — and holding things together during a tank. Now, his priority is winning.
On Sunday, Fernandez, a native of Spain and Catalonia’s basketball-mad city of Badalona, was honored by his hometown as its “native son,” an award the Nets coach cherished. He is the first Spanish-born head coach in the NBA, of course. He also a native of Catalonia, the autonomous republic in Spain’s north east whose capital is Barcelona one of the world’s great cities.
In receiving the award, he spoke to the media and told local reporters this, thanking among others the Nets and added this…
Translation: “I hope to retire with the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA.”
In today’s NBA, of course, that would be a very big deal. Fernandez is in his early 40s with a career that could with good fortune stretch into the 2040s. It doesn’t happen anymore unless you win multiple championships like Gregg Popovich or Steve Kerr. We assume Fernandez is well aware of the record!
Meanwhile, a Fernandez acolyte from Catalonia, tweeted out his thanks to the Nets for giving him an opportunity as one of the team’s “guest coaches.” For several years, unpublicized, the Nets have invited young international coaches to join the Summer League staff…
Boris Balibrea is currently the head coach of GTK Gliwice, one of Poland’s top teams. He is seen as one of Europe’s top young basketball minds, having been coach of the year twice in Sweden and once in the Alpe Adria league in central Europe’s alpine region. He’s currently the head coach of Sweden’s national team and has also coached elsewhere in Euope, Africa and China.
Last year, the guest coaches included another Catalonian, Spanish league legend Anna Cruz.
Final Note
Nets fans of a certain age and era understand that geopolitics can interfere in the world of basketball. Mikhail Prokhorov, the team’s Russian owner for nine years, sold the team in part because of pressures from Moscow and Vladimir Putin after the U.S. heavily sanctioned Russia following its 2014 invasion of Crimea. So it’s always wise to monitor what’s going on between the U.S. and China. Although neither Joe Tsai nor his Kansas-born wife, Clara Wu Tsai, are citizens of China, Alibaba, the company Tsai helped found is one of China’s biggest and best known companies.
So, we reported the other day how a U.S. congressman, John Moolenaar, Republican of Michigan, had told ESPN that the NBA should review Tsai’s ownership of the Nets following the Pentagon’s designation of the giant Chinese e-commerce, AI and Cloud computing giant as a “Chinese military company,” in the process banning any contracts with the company.
However, it should be noted, as we also did in our reporting, that neither Moolenaar nor his advisory committee on connections between U.S. companies and China has any power to do anything more than suggest a review and there is no indication the NBA would even consider such a request … if indeed the congressman has forwarded one to the league. At this point, there is no indication he has. NBA China, along with the International Olympic Committee, the UEFA championship league and world federations governing several sports, have AI and Cloud computing deals with Alibaba.
At least at the moment, rest easy if that’s your want about the possibility of a change in ownership. You have enough to worry about re: rim protection and Drake Powell’s jumper.
Another video emerged on Sunday afternoon featuring a fan telling Thompson, “We need you on the Warriors, buddy,” to which Thompson responded, “Never say never.”
Stein added that the Miami Heat have had interest in bringing Thompson down to South Beach via trade and having him play alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.
The Warriors are considered a favorite to make the biggest move of the offseason in pursuit of acquiring LeBron James. NBAE via Getty Images
While Thompson clearly has an interest in returning to the Golden State next season, there have been no indications from the Warriors’ front office whether the feeling is mutual.
With Thompson set to turn 37 next season, the end of his career is near.
During his time with Golden State from 2011–2024, Thompson was one half of the “Splash Bros” alongside Steph Curry, with the Warriors winning four NBA championships.
Thompson was one of the best three-point shooters in the NBA and was a five-time NBA All-Star during his time with the Warriors.
In Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals, Thompson tore his left ACL, which caused him to miss the rest of the final plus the next season.
On his way to recovery, he suffered another major setback when he ruptured his right Achilles tendon during a pickup basketball game in November of 2020.
Thompson returned to the court in 2021 but he never looked the same and he was eventually reduced to a reserve role.
The Warriors have been considered a favorite to make the biggest move of the offseason in pursuit of acquiring LeBron James.
While the NBA continues to wait for LeBron James to announce where he's going to play next season — and there is NBA business held up because of it — there are still other talks and things going on. Here are some of the latest non-LeBron rumors.
Lakers, Hawks not close on Jonathan Kuminga
There is a segment of Lakers fans talking them into Jonathan Kuminga as a difference-maker, likely the same fans who talked themselves into Deandre Ayton being a difference-maker a year ago despite a long history suggesting otherwise (which echoes Kuminga).
"...it appears that momentum has stalled with the sides far apart on terms and L.A. not overly motivated to push significant draft capital into sign-and-trade scenarios. Still, he appears to be the biggest upside play left on the table, and could re-emerge as a target if his market remains tepid. Cleveland, according to league sources, is the team most-often connected to Kuminga other than the Lakers."
Atlanta reportedly wanted the Lakers' 2032 first-round pick swap — the only first-round pick the Lakers can trade right now — and that was not on the table (nor should it have been). Then there is the issue of Kuninga's next contract, he is rumored to want around $25 million a season average, while the Lakers reportedly offered two years, $20 million total.
The Lakers have filled all their roster spots, they will ultimately need to clear a roster spot for anyone they acquire, like the rumored interest in Matisse Thybulle.
Pistons, Duren still not close
With all due respect to LeBron, the best free agent still technically available is Pistons All-NBA center Jalen Duren. He's a restricted free agent, the Pistons have zero interest in trading Cade Cunningham's running partner in a sign-and-trade (and no team has the money to make a max offer to Duren, which the Pistons would just end up matching anyway). Ultimately, it's a matter of the Pistons and Duren working out a deal.
Detroit made some moves this offseason, bringing in John Collins, Isaiah Joe, and Gary Harris. However, the two primary goals heading into the summer were to get a high-level secondary shot creator to go next to Cunningham and to re-sign Duren, and the Pistons have struck out on both fronts. It's not been a great offseason in the Motor City.
Trey Murphy available?
My leader for most perplexing offseason is the New Orleans Pelicans, which changed coaches to Jamahl Mosley but, aside from that, is running back a 26-win team and expecting different results.
A number of teams have expressed interest in trading for two-way wing Trey Murphy, but the asking price has been so high that no deal has come to pass. Will that change when the teams that strike out on LeBron start to look for their next move? Maybe, reports John Hollinger at The Athletic.
Chatter about a Trey Murphy trade, while lessened, hasn't vanished and is one of many potential pieces of league business that could resurface once LeBron James' next destination becomes clear.
At this point, it feels unlikely a deal gets done, but it's something worth watching.
Arena fight in Portland
One topic discussed more around the Las Vegas Summer League than expected was the decisions by new Portland Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon, specifically around needed upgrades to their arena, the Moda Center.
More than one person pointed out to NBC Sports that Dundon appears to be following the Clay Bennett playbook, when he bought the Seattle Supersonics with every intention of moving the team to Oklahoma City. That includes fighting with the city about upgrades to the arena, as Jason Quick at The Athletic details.
"I think we are very far apart," said a team source Sunday, one of two within the Blazers who were granted anonymity to discuss the situation freely.
On Friday, the city of Portland sent the Blazers a term sheet for a 20-year-lease agreement. If the Blazers agree to the terms, the team would receive $600 million in public funds to renovate the Moda Center. Of significance, the city is asking the Blazers to pay $3 million annually for a property tax offset, which would escalate over time. Additionally, the deal would require the Blazers to hire union workers and set caps on project-cost overruns.
"The term sheet is a non-starter," the source said. "I don't know why they sent it to us, because they know very little of the stuff we would agree to. They are playing politics at this point." The city and Trail Blazers have until the end of the year to work out a deal, otherwise, another $365 million in state money for the renovations would go away.
To be clear, Dundon has never talked about moving the team, and even in Quick's story team sources deny any intention to move the team. That said, actions speak louder than words, so it's a concern. The Trail Blazers moving out of Portland remains highly unlikely. First, it would get a lot more pushback — including from the league office and other owners — than Dundon might expect. Also, with expansion to Seattle and Las Vegas coming, that is two big markets off the table for a move. Still, this negotiation is something to watch.
Two of the hottest teams in baseball open a three-game series tonight at Fenway Park as the Red Sox (50-48) welcome the Baltimore Orioles (49-51) to town.
Boston enters the matchup riding a franchise-best 13-game winning streak, while Baltimore arrives having won seven straight games and fresh off consecutive series sweeps. The season series between these teams is tied at three games apiece, adding even more importance to a matchup with significant Wild Card, if not suddenly AL East, implications.
The Red Sox finished off a sweep of AL East-leading Tampa Bay yesterday and have now gone a couple weeks since their last loss. Boston’s run differential is +40 over the course of their winning streak. The result, they are now just six games behind Tampa in the division. Of late, Baltimore has been nearly as impressive. The Orioles swept Houston this past weekend and have won seven consecutive games, going 7-3 in their last 10. Elite pitching has been the difference for the O’s with the staff posting a stellar 2.97 ERA over that span. Baltimore is now within eight games of first in the AL East and within two games of the final wild card spot.
Shane Baz takes the mound for Baltimore with a record of 4-9 with a 4.19 ERA. The right hander has recorded quality starts in three of his last five outings but is without a win since June 12. The right-hander has shown swing-and-miss stuff all season but run support and consistency have been issues. The Red Sox will counter with Payton Tolle who carries a record of 5-6 with an ERA of 3.11 to the bump. Tolle enters Monday with a full week of rest after the Red Sox shortened his July 12 outing for workload management purposes.
Lets dive into tonight’s matchup and find a sweat or two.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.
Game Details and How to Watch: Orioles vs. Red Sox
Date: Friday, July 17, 2026
Time: 7:10PM EST
Site: Fenway Park
City: Boston, MA
Network/Streaming: MLB.TV, MASN, NESN
Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.
The Latest Odds: Orioles vs. Red Sox
The latest odds as of Monday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Baltimore Orioles (+134), Boston Red Sox (-162),
Spread: Orioles +1.5 (-163), Red Sox -1.5 (+135)
Total: 9.0 runs
Probable Starting Pitchers and their Stats: Orioles vs. Red Sox for July 20
Red Sox: Payton Tolle Season Totals: 84.0 IP, 5-6, 3.11 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 87K, 25 BB
Who’s Hot? Who’s Not! Orioles vs. Red Sox
Willson Contreras is hitting .294 with 11 RBIs over his last 10 games
Wilyer Abreu has 10 hits in his last 10 games including 5 HRs
Cedanne Rafaella was 5-17 in the 4-game series against the Rays this past weekend.
Masataka Yoshida is 10-27 (.370) in July
Pete Alonso was 2-9 in the recently-concluded series against Houston
Taylor Ward was just 1-9 in the Sox ‘ series against Houston.
Adley Rutschman is 1-11 over his four games
Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Top Betting Trends & Insights: Orioles vs. Red Sox
The Orioles are 50-50 on the Run Line this season
The Red Sox are 47-51 on the Run Line this season
The OVER has cashed 52 times in Baltimore’s 100 games this season (52-45-3)
The OVER has cashed 44 times in Boston’s 98 games this season (44-50-4)
Expert picks & predictions: Orioles vs. Red Sox
Rotoworld Bet Best Bet
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model for tonight’s game between the Orioles and the Red Sox:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Orioles on the Moneyline.
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Red Sox on the Run Line.
Total: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total OVER 9.0.
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 13: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during the game against the Golden State Warriors on October 13, 2023 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It is not breaking news to say that the LeBron James watch, as it is about to enter week three, has all the eyes and ears of the league. A subplot of LeBron’s latest destination decision is that teams around the league are placing a pause on their decisions until this is all sorted out. One of those players who appears to be impacted is fellow wing Jonathan Kuminga.
In an article written by The Athletic’s Dan Woike, Kuminga has garnered interest from the Los Angeles Lakers since late June. However, “it appears that momentum has stalled with the sides”, with Woike noting that the Lakers aren’t “overly motivated to push the significant draft capital into sign-and-trade scenarios.”
It appears that the Cleveland Cavaliers are looking hard into the services of Kuminga if the Lakers interest dissipates. “According to league sources, (Cleveland) is the team most-often connected to Kuminga other than the Lakers,” Woike noted.
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can buy the Spida shirt HERE. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE.
This makes sense as the Cavaliers appear to be looking to upgrade their wing rotation. Obviously, they have been a prominent name in the LeBron James sweepstakes; Kuminga appears to be their second pathway to ensuring there is an influx of talent.
Kuminga could be a necessary gamble for the Cavaliers. His talent has not necessarily translated to someone who projects as a difference-making wing. What Kuminga does offer is an upside play on potentially a cheaper deal than most younger wings his age. It is also good to note that Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson has a prior relationship with Kuminga from their shared time on the Golden State Warriors together.
It appears that there could be more movement on the free agent front once teams and players have an idea of where the King will preside this upcoming season. The NBA’s silly season never ends, and neither does the league’s intrigue about LeBron James.
From a Monarch to the Shark Tank, San Jose Sharks forward Tyler Toffoli's career has taken him everywhere imaginable.
Toffoli, who currently wears the number 73 for the Sharks, is only the second player to ever wear that number for the team in teal, as Noah Gregor was the first to break it in half a decade ago.
The 34-year-old winger's professional hockey journey began in 2010, when he was selected 47th overall by the Sharks' arch-rival, the Los Angeles Kings. He broke into the NHL during the 2012-13 season, appearing in 10 games for the Kings. That same season, he was named the American Hockey League's Rookie of the Year after scoring 28 goals and 51 points in 58 games for the Manchester Monarchs.
Then, during the 2013-14 season, Toffoli took a much greater role at the NHL level appearing in 62 regular season and 26 playoff games. At the end of the playoffs, he lifted the Stanley Cup for the first and, to this point, only time in his career.
Toffoli remained with the Kings for another half decade or so, before departing the organization when he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in the middle of the 2019-20 season.
After a total of 17 games in Vancouver, Toffoli made his way across Canada and joined the Montreal Canadiens for the 2020-21 season. He spent roughly a season and a half with the historic franchise, before being traded once again, this time to the Calgary Flames.
After a season and a half in Calgary, Toffoli would be traded once again, this time south of the 49th parallel and he was on his way to New Jersey. After another short stint, this one just over half of a season, he was traded across the border once again, as he joined the Winnipeg Jets to close out the 2023-24 season.
At this point, Toffoli opted to sign with the Sharks as an unrestricted free agent. He ensured that he wouldn't be on the move anytime soon, including a no-trade clause in the first three years of his contract and a modified clause in the final year. In 157 games with the Sharks to this point, the veteran winger has scored 49 goals and 103 points while also serving as a mentor for the young forwards like Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith.
While there is certainly a logjam of forwards on the Sharks roster, Toffoli's trade protection makes him one of the few veterans safe from a potential move.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 11: General view of the scoreboard as the San Francisco Giants show their first overall draft pick, Jackson Flora, a pitcher from UC Santa Barbara before a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park on July 11, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Scott Marshall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The 2026 MLB Draft is in the rearview mirror, and it was a very exciting one for the San Francisco Giants. They had their highest pick since 2018, a pair of top-30 selections, and 21 total draftees in the 20-round spectacle.
Of course, drafting is only half of the battle. Once players are drafted, they also have to be signed, and that’s not always easy. The Giants did very well with that assignment last year, signing everyone except their 20th-round pick, prep shortstop Elijah McNeal. The last time they signed all of their selections was 2023. Pitcher Ryan O’Sullivan, a 10th-round selection in 2008, was the time the Giants were unable to sign a player selected in the first 10 rounds.
It’s even harder to sign everyone now that NIL money impacts things so much. But the Giants are surely optimistic that they can get most of their players inked.
What follows is a tracker of all 21 drafted players, and their signing status. I’ll update it as news comes in. As a reminder, the Giants had a bonus pool of $17,350,600 this year. Teams are allowed to spend up to 5% on top of their bonus, albeit with a 75% tax. Anything beyond 5% means sacrificing future first-round draft picks.
There are assigned slot values for the first 10 rounds, and all money spent in those rounds counts against the pool, even if players are signed below their slot value. In rounds 11-20, players can be signed for up to $150,000 without it counting against the pool. Anything beyond $150,000 starts to impact the team’s signing pool.
As always, a thanks to all the great people who cover the Giants on social media for reporting so much of this information. A special shoutout to Twitter user Coast to Coast Baseball, and reporter Jeff Young.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 14: Shea Langeliers #23 of the Athletics speaks with Dylan Cease #84 of the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning of the 2026 MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park on July 14, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
To hear it from some readers, Shea Langeliers is a top catcher in MLB worthy of the All-Star starting gig afforded him by a landslide of fan votes. To hear it from other readers, Langeliers is highly overrated and only reducing his value every month he takes the field and has his shortcomings further exposed.
As usual, the truth is somewhere in between two extremes. We don’t know if the A’s intend for Shea to be their primary catcher through 2028 (when his contract expires), if they will try to deal him this off-season or next, or even as soon as this August 3rd deadline. Internet rumors around Langeliers’ possible available in the next 2 weeks have ramped up but are, at this point, mostly based in opinion and conjecture and not actual inside scoop.
Here is an honest look at the complex statistical landscape that informs Langeliers’ many strengths and many weaknesses both as a hitter and as a defensive catcher — what it all adds up to becomes highly subjective because you will get the good with the bad and you will get the bad with the good, and it’s always anybody’s guess how all these stats will evolve moving forward.
Langeliers’ Batting/Offense: Pros
No one questions that Langeliers is a legitimate power threat. With 29 HR in 2024 and another 31 in 2025, Shea is at it again with 22 HR in 89 games and a great shot at surpassing 30 again in 2026.
wRC+, which comes league and park adjusted, shows Langeliers to be a solidly above average hitter, with a 132 wRC+ last season and 124 wRC+ so far this season. That’s good for anyone, and especially impressive for a catcher.
The past two seasons, Langeliers has brought down his K rate substantially from its previous 34.6%, 29.2%, and 27.2% marks. Not only did they decline each season to a low of 19.7% in 2025, this season’s 22.6% is still very good.
Despite being a catcher, Langeliers provides the lineup with a fast runner. His sprint speed is in the 81st percentile.
Langeliers’ Batting/Offense: Cons
A lot of Langeliers’ 2026 stats are buoyed by an incredible April in which he batted .328/.382/.592, 167 wRC+ with 8 HR in 30 games. He cooled off considerably when the calendar turned to May, and has batted only .225 with a .302 OBP since.
Like so many of the A’s hitters, Langeliers gets a big boost from hitting in West Sacramento (with a Summerlin chaser) half the time. The reality is that on the road, Shea’s numbers begin to look much more pedestrian: .237/.302/.446, 107 wRC+. If that’s closer to “the real Langeliers” it will give other teams pause as to what they should expect if they trade for him.
Langeliers’ Catching: Pros
Langeliers’ ability to control the running game actually remains strong despite the caught stealing data itself. The A’s pitchers routinely fail to keep runners close, a flaw that was vividly on display Sunday as the Nationals took liberties and swiped 6 bases in which Jonah Heim really had little to no chance each time. Statcast rates Langeliers as being in the 84th percentile for “CS above average” because when given a fair shot Shea comes through often.
Langeliers has emerged as one of the better catchers with regard to a new key skill: ABS challenges. Shea ranks 5th in MLB with 51 successful challenges behind the dish and he has been successful on 61% of his tries (not elite, but above average).
Langeliers’ Catching: Cons
While he has improved since his early years, Langeliers is still a liability overall when it comes to blocking errant pitches. He ranks in the 19th percentile in “blocks above average” and his 7 passed balls tie Francisco Alvarez for the most in MLB.
The need for elite framing has been muted some by ABS but it is still an important skill. For one it can force more ABS challenge decisions from the other team and also at times one team or the other (or both) are out of challenges. Langeliers still languishes in the 7th percentile this season in framing.
These flaws have helped keep Langeliers’ FRV (fielding run value) numbers negative each and every season of his career, including 2026 where it currently stands at -4.
A purely subjective concern has been raised on AN and that is pitch calling. How much credit or blame goes to the catcher or to the coaching staff is an open question, as is whether a given catcher’s game calling is excellent, decent, poor, or terrible. There’s no way to measure this, but it has been noted as a source of possible concern. Specifically, Shea seems prone to predictable patterns and to encouraging his pitchers to throw a lot of off speed pitches to open at bats. But this may or may not be a legitimate issue.
What Does It All Add Up To?
Offense: With regard to stats bolstered by a sizzling April, that April did happen and can’t be dismissed. Neither can the reality that May-July has been lukewarm. Langeliers’ uninspiring road stats can’t be ignored but also come in the context that generally players hit better at home and worse on the road. And wRC+ is park adjusted so Shea’s excellent overall stats can’t be waved off as purely a SHP-induced phenomenon.
Conclusion: Langeliers is, in fact, an above average hitter but not an elite one. I would describe him as a “legitimate power threat and a dangerous hitter — but not a great hitter overall, just a good one.”
Defense: Even though you often see poor rushed throws and an uninspiring CS percentage, Langeliers brings strength to controlling the running game and is as good as his pitchers allow him to be. However, he has established over several seasons now that he brings more weaknesses than strengths to the party so as to finish each season in negative FRV territory.
Conclusion: What you get with Langeliers is a “bat first” catcher who is below average defensively overall, but at least brings a couple key skills to recommend him.
Is this a fair assessment, or am I being too harsh, too forgiving? Most to the point of the next 2 weeks or perhaps this off-season, how is Langeliers viewed by the industry and what would teams be willing to offer in order to call him theirs. He’s under contract 2 more years after this one, and service time certainly highly informs value. Discuss.
